Yoke-coupling and draft-timber protector



N M d 1. 6 0. L.--STBRNER & R. W. ODONNBLL.

YOKE COUPLING AND DRAFT TIMBER PROTECTOR- No. 579,905. Patented Mar. 30,189-7.

11:. 2 II// u 7% WITNESSES:

UNTTED STATES PATENT @EETQE.

OSCAR L. STERNER AND RICHARD W. ODON'NELL, OF PHILADELPHIA,

PENNSYLVANIA. T

YOKE-COUPLING AND DRAFT-TIMBER PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 579,905, dated March30, 1897. Application filed November 18, 1896. Serial No. 612,539. (Nomodel.)

To on whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, OSCAR L. STERNER and RICHARD W. ODoNNELL, citizensof the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia,State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement inYoke-Couplers and Draft-Timber Protectors, which improvement is f nll yset forth i n the following specification and accompanying drawings.

Our invention consists of an improved construction of yoke-coupler anddraft-timber protector, by the use of which the life of the timbers orsills of a car is greatly prolonged, the novel features of the inventionbeing here inafter fully set forth,and specifically pointed out in theclaims.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a yoke-coupler anddraft-timber protector embod ying our invention, the same being shown inassembled position. Figs. 2 and 3 represent perspective views of theprotectors or fenders employed, the same being shown in detachedposition. Fig. i represents a perspective view of one of the timbers orsills in detached position, showing the manner of attaching theprotector thereto. Fig. 5 represents another embodiment of the principleof our invention.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a pair of sills longitudinallyarranged and having the block B located therebetween, said block beingprovided with the tongues O, which are ordinarily let into theoppositelylocated recesses or grooves I) of each sill A and in directcontact therewith and with the shoulders G, the corners E of the saidblock ordinarily also contacting directly with the shoulders F, as seenin Fig. 4. The above construction is, however, found to be open to graveobjections in practice, since in starting and stopping a train anenormous strain is frequently subjected upon the coupler, and thecontact of the tongues O and the corners E of the block B with theabutting portions of the contiguous sills in a short time, by reason ofthe frequent shock and strain, batters up the shoulders F and D andpractically destroys the sills A, as is evident. By our invention,however, the liability of damaging the sills as described is obviated,and the life thereof is greatly prolonged through the medium of theprotector G, (best seen in Figs. 2 and 3,) the same being shown asrights and lefts, as indicated, and each being substantially the same adescription of one will suffice for both.

The protector has a substantially centrallylocated bulged portioncorresponding to the contour of the tongue 0, said portion H contactingwith the face D of the adjacent sill, said protector being laterallydeflected, as at J, in either direction and provided with offsets K,whereby shoulders are formed, which contact with the shoulders F, thefree ends L of the protector contacting with the faces L of the sill.

M designates bolts which extend through the sills, the intermediateprotectors, and block B, as will be evident from Fig. 1, said boltsbeing held in position by means of nuts P, and reinforcing-plates Nbeing interposed between said nuts and sills, while the free ends L ofthe protector are held in position by means of the bolts S, which havethe heads l/V preferably countersunk, as indicated in Fig. 1, said boltspassing through openings T in the end portions L and the openings U inthe sills A, as is evident, said bolts S being held in position by meansof the nuts V and their washer.

In Fig. 5 we have shown another embodiment of the principle of ourinvention, the protector G being provided with a protectingflange X,which extends along the top and bottom of the sills A, and thus servesto assist in further protecting and strengthening the same.

The operation is as follows: The parts are shown in assembled positionin Fig. 1, and it will be evident that whenever any undue strain isexerted upon the block B in either direction said strain will be takenup by the abutting portions of the protector G and will be absorbed bythe latter and not exert-ed upon the shoulders or corners F or D, andsince the protector has a plurality of fastening devices, such as S andM, it will be evident that the parts are firmly and immovably lockedtogether and that the life of the sills will be greatly prolonged.

The protectors or fenders J are composed of metal or other suitableunyielding material and may be struck up or pressed into shape or giventhe desired contour by any suitable means.

It will of course be evident that the shape of the protector may bevaried according to requirements and that other changes may be made bythose skilled in the art which may come within the scope of ourinvention, and we do not therefore desire to be limited in everyinstance to the exact construction we have herein shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent, is-

l. In a device of the character named, a protector consisting of a platehaving a central bulging portion II, with adjacent side shoulders, thela-terally-projecting portions J with offsets K, and the free ends L,said portions J and ends L having the openings R and 'l thereinrespectively.

2. A pair of sills, a pair of sill-protectors, having central bulgingportions, laterally- Projecting Portions, Offsets and lateral free ends,a block with tongues on its opposite sides fitting into said bulgingportions, bolts passing through said sills, block and laterallyprojccting portions and bolts common to said free sides and to said sills.

3. In a device of the character named, a pair of sills, each having therecesses D therein, the faces J, L extending therefrom in eitherdirection, thereby forming the shoul' ders D and I and atimber-protector having the bulged portion II therein, the extensions Jon either side thereof, the delleeted portion K, and. the end portions Lsubstantially parallel to said portions J, said protector beinginterposed between the sides of said block and the adjacent portions ofsaid sills, and means for holding said protectors, blocks, and sills inassembled position.

i. In a device of the character named, a protectorhaving a bulgingcentor portion with adjacent shoulders, and laterally-projecting portionswith offsets and free ends, said protector having upper and lowerhorizontallyprojecting flanges adapted to embrace the sills to which theprotectors are secured.

OSCAR Ill, STERNER. RICHARD A. 01 )0 N N IC'L'L.

\Vitnesses:

JonN A. \VIEonnsiinni', WM. (1. Wmnnnsi-nnn.

